Netflix, Amazon, other, in place of iPlayer?

EdSwippet

Our household is entirely free of TV equipment. We currently watch the occasional programme on iPlayer catch-up, but it's a tiny part of our lives. We don't currently have, or need a TV license, but will do from the end of August.

Given this ultra-light usage, and that the iPlayer and catch-up only contain a selection of programmes rather than the full output, I'm investigating how I can replace this for lower cost than a full TV license. There's still All4 and ITV of course, but these don't quite provide the type of content I'm interested in, or at least not enough of it, and the ads are distracting and unwelcome.

While I'm not philosophically averse to paying for BBC content, our viewing habits make a full license feel a bit like paying for an all-you-can-eat buffet but only consuming a sandwich. Ideally what I'd want is a cheaper 'TV license-lite' to reflect restricted use of iPlayer catch-up only, but that's not what's being offered.

Netflix and Amazon Prime both come in at about half the cost of the license and are monthly and cancellable. Others are available. Does anyone have any thoughts on which UK on-demand TV service might best suit my needs? Or any thoughts on any which definitely would not?

Dominant viewing: science and nature documentary, comedy, cinema, occasional drama. Equipment: chromebook and tablet (no screen larger than 11inch!). Total TV time: 5h/week max.

Bigphil1474

There's 3 main ones that spring to mind - Now Tv (Sky), Amazon, and Netflix. Now TV is cheapish for the entertainment package, but no movies (charged separately). Netflix has a good mix of tv and movies, and it benefits in that all content is part of your subscription. Amazon has decent content, but newer content tends to be charged extra when first available - you can gain credits by buying stuff off Amazon website so worth looking at that.
Not much to choose between them IMO, but I currently have Netflix as their content more suits my needs. I also have Now Tv, but I got some vouchers for Now TV so not paying much for it at the moment. I don't think any of them are as good as BBC overall though, so if I had a choice between subscribing to any, I'd choose BBC. I do have a license.

[Deleted User]

Since Now TV provides live TV it requires a license to view.

[Deleted User]

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

Since Now TV provides live TV it requires a license to view.

It doesn't require a licence as you d not need to watch the live channels.

[Deleted User]

Deleted_User wrote: »

It doesn't require a licence as you d not need to watch the live channels.

You could say the same about Freeview. Of course you need a license,

VisionMan

Deleted_User wrote: »

It doesn't require a licence as you d not need to watch the live channels.

There would be little point in buying a Now TV box if one won't watch the live TV channels. Its mainly a live streamer, as well as offering on demand. TV Licence required.

[Deleted User]

VisionMan wrote: »

There would be little point in buying a Now TV box if one won't watch the live TV channels. Its mainly a live streamer, as well as offering on demand. TV Licence required.

I beg to differ. Apart from sports why would we want to watch live Nowtv with all the adverts and tied to a schedule when you can watch almost any program or film on demand when ever you want to? Yes you stream it but not from the live schedules which does NOT require a TVL.

wongataa

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

You could say the same about Freeview. Of course you need a license,

NowTV is not like Freeview. Freeview only provides live TV. NowTV can supply live TV but also has a lot of on demend content for which no TV License is required. I have used NowTV and have never gone anywhere near the live streamed content.

[Deleted User]

Deleted_User wrote: »

I beg to differ.

This is not an argument you will win, I'm afraid, because it's not a matter of opinion.

A TV license is most definitely required for Now TV because it provides access to live TV broadcasts. You can indeed choose not to watch any, but you still need a license unless you specifically inform TV Licensing and can show you meet the criteria for exemption.

http://help.nowtv.com/article/TV-Licence

http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/topics/telling-us-you-dont-need-a-tv-licence

wongataa wrote: »

Freeview only provides live TV. NowTV can supply live TV but also has a lot of on demend content for which no TV License is required.

Many Freeview decoders connected to the internet can also do this. License still required.

almillar

Moneyineptitude - you are wrong. You need the licence (up until September anyway) to WATCH or RECORD TV as it is broadcast. You can do this on a PC, tablet, mobile phone, Freeview Box, NowTV box etc etc. Many Many things. Owning one of these devices doesn't mean you need a Licence. Having them connected to the internet doesn't either. It's the ACT that requires the licence, not the SETUP.

Nilrem

Re the op.

If the content you want to watch is on the Iplayer your only choice is the Iplayer apps, unless it's also available on other services.

However if it's new the chances are it won't be on the other services (if it's a BBC production) for months at least, and then depending on what it is it may appear on a NowTV app, Netflix, or Amazon Prime video as none of them get everything (in the same way it's very rare for any one channel to get everything made by a company in another country which is why you might find CSI variants on different channels here).